Speaking to journalists after chairing the NEB meeting, Mr. Abhisit said the committee considered the ruling made by the court on March 3 “appropriate”. The Rayong court declared Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate a pollution control area, a decision the prime minister said the NEB felt was in line with environment law, while at the same time allowing local residents to be taken into consideration.

Discussing concerns that the government might lose revenue because the decision could negatively affect industrial plants operating within Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Mr. Abhisit said it would not cause any negative effect.

Several other areas have already been declared pollution control zones with no such effect, and importantly this ruling would increase the effectiveness of tackling pollution challenges in the area.

He said if the private sector wanted to appeal the ruling, it could do so but said he personally believed that the court’s ruling would not impact the investment climate.

The Court on March 3 declared Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate a pollution control area, which requires strict enforcement of environmental measures and toxic control provisions. It gave the NEB a 30-day period to decide on whether or not to appeal the court’s verdict.

The verdict followed a lawsuit filed against the NEB by Map Ta Phut Municipality residents. They claimed that the NEB was negligent in not declaring the Map Ta Phut Municipality and vicinity – heavily affected by serious environmental problems – as “pollution control zones” in order to control, reduce and eliminate toxic waste in accordance with guidelines contained in the National Environment Quality Act.- (TNA)

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Reporter : PDN staff Photo : Internet Category : Thailand News

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